Former Idol will highlight McKenzie Court celebration

The Tuscaloosa Housing Authority is holding a grand opening celebration on Sunday in the courtyard of McKenzie Court featuring former American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.

By Jessie Gable,Special to The Tuscaloosa News

During the days of segregated housing in Alabama, the McKenzie Court housing project was created as a place for blacks to live.By the 1970s, it was one of the worst housing projects in Tuscaloosa, with apartments in deteriorating condition and many of its tenants moving out.Now, thanks to a $20 million Hope VI grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, McKenzie Court has been torn down and replaced with a more inviting condo-style complex.The first phase of the project, the construction of 118 of the 256 apartments slated for McKenzie Court has been completed, and the second phase of the project, including the remaining 138 apartments and the relocation of theWeaver Bolden Branch of the Tuscaloosa Public Library to the McKenzie Court Community Center, is scheduled to finish in 2010.In celebration of the completion of the first phase, the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority is holding a grand opening celebration from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the courtyard of McKenzie Court.The Housing Authority is joining with the Crossroads Community Center at the University of Alabama to present Community Culture fair.The event will feature an appearance by Ruben Studdard, former American Idol winner, who will perform around 5 p.m.“We wanted Ruben because he’s stayed so close to his Alabama roots,” said Brice Miller, assistant director of Crossroads Community Center.McKenzie Court is just one several housing development in Tuscaloosa that have undergone renovations with funding from Hope VI grants.“It looks nothing like public housing,” said Miller. “We have to remember that it’s still part of our community, though.”The rebuilt McKenzie Court will include apartments, condos, a technology room with computers, a bus stop and a gazebo.Awards will be given to members of the McKenzie Court community who have exemplified good citizenship and a sense of community.“It’s going to be a celebration for everyone,” said Beverly Hawk, Ph.D., director of Crossroads. “It’s going to be a good time for everyone to bring their cultural gifts and make connections with the community.”Other attractions at Sunday event will include the Bookmobile, face painting and a petting zoo for children, free beauty consultations, diabetes testing, and Cuts for Kids, which provides free haircuts for children, said Miller.Performers from the Tuscaloosa area or who showcase the area’s heritage will provide entertainment, including Willie King and the Liberators, who Miller calls an “elder statesman” for the community. King will also be speaking on the importance of unity within a community.The Alabama Blues Project, Microwave Dave, Eric Estes, Big Red and the Soul Vendors, and the Blues Paws will also perform. A local gospel group, Lisa and the Illusions will showcase some of their work, said Miller.Kids will have a children’s village that will be set up with inflatables and games, said Miller. Local motorcycle clubs and car clubs will also be displaying their best choppers and classic cars at the fair, said Miller.Silas Lewis, a nine-year resident of McKenzie Court, said he is looking forward to the event.“McKenzie court is so much different and so much better than when it first opened up,” Lewis said. “I think this will be a good way for the whole community to kick off the start of the new McKenzie Court.”Other contributors to the fair are the UA Freshmen Forum, the Tuscaloosa Police Department, DARE, the Tuscaloosa Fire Department and more than 20 other outreach resources.“When we started this, we thought, ‘How do we provide a way to unite the community?’” said Miller. “We wanted something with cultural enrichment and outreach opportunities that engage the entire community. It’s the product of a lot of brainstorming.”

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